“You’ve diverted him as I instructed?” said Dr. Simmons.

  “Don’t worry about a thing, doc. I took care of everything. He’ll be loaded onto the wrong game island with his pain threshold set to 150%. It’s a hostile PvP scenario. I even found a place where some griefers are camping.”

  “The first time he dies in the game, he will experience so much pain his body will shut down. That much agony will cause heart failure.”

  “I have a stealth bot watching for his death. When it happens, his records will alter and move directly to the Hygieia scenario. Then the medical alarms will sound. He’ll be found with an unexplained heart attack. So tragic.”

  He chuckled, then his face tightened as he looked at Simmons. “And when do I get my money for this little favor?”

  Simmons’ face was bland as he struggled to not show his annoyance at the arrogant fool in front of him.

  “I will deposit your cut in an untraceable bitcoin account three days after the reading of the will. There are no relatives and no one to contest it. I will inherit all his money and you will get enough to fund your other… habits.”

  “What about the lawyer? Could he be a problem?”

  Simmons sighed.

  “Of course not. It’s a simple AI that will read the document and assign the funds. The funds transfer will happen with all the efficiency of any computer assisted transaction.”

  Simmons smiled.

  “The lawyer will even automatically set aside the funds required for estate taxes. We get the bulk, the government is happy, the AI overseers are happy.”

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  “What about the body?”

  “He has elected cremation with the ashes to be delivered to me.”

  His bland expression didn’t change as he said, “I’ll just sweep the whole thing under the rug.”

  There was a pause, and then the programmer laughed too loudly.

  “That’s a good one, doc. Guess you have it all worked out.”

  Now Simmons smiled.

  “Yes, I have.”

  And he thought. “Including how to take care of you afterwards.”

  * * *

  I was standing in a vast golden field. I was alive! In the distance, I could see buildings. Based on my previous encounters with strangers, it seemed like a bad idea to approach them, especially after what had happened.

  I turned and made my way away from the buildings. I could see other strange creatures in the distance, but none approached me.

  Suddenly, a large black insect creature rushed towards me. I turned to run, but its speed was much faster than mine.

  It ran on two long chitinous legs and made a high-pitched squeal as it pursued me. I thought it might call for others, but I saw none. I tried to speak to it as I ran, but it did not reply. It quickly overtook me and I reluctantly turned to fight.

  The battle was very brief.

  My opponent’s body was covered with a heavy carapace. Its forearms looked like those of a praying mantis - including a series of razor sharp spines that struck with incredible swiftness.

  I tried to greet it but it ignored me. I dodged, but one of its spines struck my shoulder and my arm was neatly severed. Blood rushed out, and I realized I was doomed.

  “Olthoi has struck you for 10 points of damage! Arm Sever! Your left arm is incapacitated! Health below 50%”

  “Incapacitated?” I thought. “It’s lying on the ground next to me!”

  I tried to at least take the creature down with me, kicking at its center. I had the small satisfaction of landing a single blow before the world swam in front of me.

  You kick Olthoi for 2 points of damage!

  Twin arms stabbed out at me and I felt them strike my chest…

  “This isn’t any good,” I thought, as the world slowly faded to black.

  Olthoi has struck you for 5 points of damage! Health below 75%

  Olthoi has struck you for 5 points of damage! Fatal blow!

  You have died!